Authorities Detain Activists, Hindu Holy Men in Ayodhya

State Authorities Said March Would Stir Religious Tension

By

Niharika Mandhana

Aug. 25, 2013 11:35 a.m. ET

AYODHYA, India — Security forces detained hundreds of Hindu activists and holy men on Sunday, thwarting an effort by religious conservatives to stage a march banned by state authorities who said it risked stirring up religious tension.

Both the planned procession, aimed at rallying support for the construction of a new Hindu temple at a contentious site here, and the ensuing crackdown on Hindu nationalists are part of pre-election...